Prep Baseball Report

Seventh Inning Propels Fauquier to Region 4C Championship


Jerry Shank
Virginia Director

TPG 6.19

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The Fauquier Falcons scored six runs in the top of the seventh inning to break open a 3-3 tie and pull away from host Woodgrove Wolverines to earn the Region 4C Championship on Friday.

Fauquier was able to open the game up early in the second inning after both sides went scoreless in the first. After two quick strikeouts from Woodgrove starter Nick Lockhart, Clay Shafer kept the inning alive with a single to right field. A walk would put two runners on, then Nate Winebarger doubled to left field, scoring Shafer and putting two runners in scoring position. Cole Western would then double a ball past the Woodgrove third baseman down the line to knock in two more runs and give the Falcons an early 3-0 lead.

Woodgrove was able to chip their way back into the game while keeping the Fauquier offense at bay after that second inning. In the bottom of the third inning, Justin Hanvey (Radford) knocked in the Wolverines first run of the game with a single to center. In the bottom of the fifth, Woodgrove would get two within one after the second hitter of the inning Ryan Badillo sent a deep drive to left center knocking in Sam Upton, who led the inning off with an HBP. Eventually, Woodgrove was able to get runners to second and third with two out and Fauquier's starting pitcher Carson McCusker would balk to allow the runner at third to score and tie the game up at 3 apiece.

The score would remain that way until the top of the seventh innings. Two walks would start the inning but Woodgrove relief pitcher Christian Hile would get two strikeouts to follow to make first and second with two out. McCusker would slap a ball to the shortstop who had to make a quick play on the ball and release to get out the speedy McCusker. The throw from short came off the bag and the runner who started at second headed home as the play developed, catching the first baseman off guard and his throw to the plate forced the catcher to be unable to perform a swipe tag as the runner slid under to give the Falcons the lead. Another run would score on a bang-bang play at first base on a slow roller, where the umpire called the runner safe. Three walks would ensue followed by an RBI single with the bases loaded. When the final out of the frame was finally tallied, Fauquier accounted for six runs in the inning. McCusker, who worked an efficient complete game, finished out the seventh quickly and gave Fauquier the victory.

Western, Shafter, and Winebarger each led the Falcons with three hits apiece. Winebarger had three RBI and Western had two to lead the squad. McCusker scatter six hits whilegiving up three runs and had seven strikeouts to one walk (two HBP).

Hanvey and Hunter McCormick led the Wolverines with two hits each on the day.

With both teams making it to the Regional final, they automatically win bids to the VHSL state tournament. Fauquier will host Amherst County HS, the runner ups in Region 4D, while Woodgrove will travel to Salem (Salem) to take on the Region 4D champions. Both games are slated for Tuesday.